Chapter 3
After I hung up on Edward, I didn't feel any anger.
All I felt was relief.
It was like yanking out a rotten tooth that had been festering for years.
It hurt a little in the moment, but once it was out, the whole world felt lighter.
For thirty years, I've lived like a puppet on strings.
My parents and brothers were the ones pulling the strings.
If they said left, I never even thought about right.
If they wanted me to give, I never even thought about asking for anything back.
I used to think that was just what being a dutiful son and brother was all about.
But now I realize that was just me being stupid.
At noon, Mom called Julia's phone again.
Julia put it on speaker.
"Julia, can you talk to Andrew? What's up with him?
"Why's he suddenly making his big brother pay? They're family, aren't they? His own flesh and blood!"
Margaret's voice sounded heartbroken and desperate.
Julia glanced at me, and I gave her a slight nod.
"I think Andrew's right," Julia said.
Julia's tone was firm but respectful, not backing down and not getting pushy.
"Richard didn't even treat Andrew like his own son when he wrote the will.
"So now Andrew's just doing business with Edward. Nothing wrong with that.
"Even between brothers, you gotta keep the money straight," Julia said, not backing down.
The other end went dead silent.
Margaret never expected Julia, who was always so gentle, to speak up like that.
"Are you trying to blow up the family?
"Is money really worth more than family to you?
"Where's Andrew?
"Give the phone to Andrew right now!" Margaret barked.
Julia handed me the phone.
I took the phone.
"Mom," I said.
"Andrew Sullivan! Getting bold, aren't you? You don't even bother picking up when I call?
"Edward just wanted a little help, and you're actually asking him for money?
"Do you even see me as your mother anymore? Or your father?"
Her questions fired off like a machine gun, rapid and relentless.
I waited for her to finish, then replied calmly.
"Mom, if you're calling because Edward wants me to design his place for free, then honestly, there's nothing to discuss.
"It's simple: pay me, and I'll do the plans. If not, go hire someone else.
"If you're wondering why I didn't pick up your call.
"Honestly? I just didn't feel like it.
"I think I get to decide whether I answer the phone or not, right?"
Margaret was stunned, lost for words.
She'd never heard me talk to her this way before.
"What kind of attitude is that?
"I raised you all these years for nothing!
"Andrew, if you still consider me your mother, you'd better come home right after work today!
"Apologize to Edward!
"Otherwise, don't even think about coming home again!"
She was yelling, completely losing it.
This was her trump card.
Threatening to cut me off.
Back then, those words used to scare me to death.
Every time she said it, I'd cave instantly. Apologize first, never mind who was actually right.
Because I was afraid they'd really toss me out of this family for good.
But now?
They had already thrown me away.
That two-million-dollar will spelled it out. I've been erased from the Sullivan family, just like that.
What was there left for me to be afraid of now?
"Mom," I said, keeping my voice steady.
"I can't go back to that house anymore. It's not my home.
"The will spells it out, those houses are Edward's and Michael's now.
"Not a single penny belongs to me.
"If I show up there, I'd just be crashing someone else's house.
"So, I'm not coming back. Sorry.
"Unless it's something absolutely urgent, don't bother calling me again.
"I'm busy, and I need to take care of my own family."
With that, I hung up.
This time, I blocked her number too.
I looked at Julia, and she gave me a big thumbs-up.
"Honey, that was badass."
I smiled.
It was not about being badass.
This was a rebirth.
That afternoon, Michael texted me.
[Hey, Andrew, why are you arguing with Mom and Edward?]
[They're really pissed.]
[Just apologize to them, okay? We're all family.]
He tossed in a 'well-behaved' emoji for good measure.
I stared at the message, the irony stinging more than ever.
Family?
Funny, when they were splitting up three million, nobody remembered we were family.
But now that he wanted me to apologize, we were suddenly 'family' again.
I replied.
[Sure, Michael, I can apologize.]
[Tell Dad to change the will so the three of us split it evenly. Do that, and I'll crawl back and apologize.]
As soon as the message went out, the other end went dead silent.
After a long pause, Michael finally replied.
[You've changed. You're so... practical now.]
I just sent.
[Get lost.]
I blocked him without a second thought.
By now, my block list had Mom, Edward, and Michael lined up, all in a row.
Nice and tidy.
I finally let out a deep breath.
It felt like cleaning out a room packed to the brim with trash.
It was tiring, but at least it was clean now.
I figured that was it.
Now I could finally start my own life.
But just when things seemed settled, a phone call a week later stirred up all the mess again.
The call came from the hospital.
The nurse sounded frantic.
"Are you a family member of Mr. Richard Sullivan?
"Mr. Sullivan just had a sudden brain hemorrhage. We're trying to save him right now.
"You need to get to Central City Hospital right away!" the nurse urged.